POGO workers threaten safety of Parañaque residents?

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese employees of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) reportedly pose safety risks and are disturbing the peace in a village in Parañaque City, according to residents.

Aside from violating local laws on land use and building code, the Chinese workers were allegedly responsible for combustion of cable wires in the area, a copy of closed-circuit television footage sent to The STAR showed.

The exposure to live wires posed risks to the residents, according to Mel Marquez, spokesman for the We Love Multi, a group of village homeowners, in Parañaque.

Members of the Multinational Village Homeowners’ Association Inc. said disruptive incidents happened near the houses being rented by Chinese POGO employees.

Marquez said each of the houses accommodates more than 40 people, in violation of the city’s zoning ordinance.

“They’re disturbing our peace. They’re posing risks to our safety and violating the laws,” he said.

The group has joined public hearings conducted by the city government on the presence of POGO workers in the area.

Residents said the local government has inspected construction sites where “POGO tenements” would soon rise.

The city hall has issued work stoppage orders, but the construction of POGO buildings still proceeded.

Data provided by the group showed that as of November last year, 27 buildings were being constructed.

The group said 102 houses in Parañaque are being rented by Chinese POGO employees.